Circus for disadvantaged youth

In October we have organized Art Residence for all the children and teenagers of the Upsala-Circus.

The Art Residence is an essential part of the program. During 10 days guys have intensive training in various circus disciplines, have workshops with external experts in rhythm, music, contemporary dance, artist and etc.

Every Art Residence has 3 main goals:

- Physical Development: youngsters and teens become stronger and more dexterous. They are physically prepared for the new circus year.

- Circus Skill Development: everyone has become familiar with new disciplines and met new experts.

- Personal development: children and teenagers acquire the necessary soft-skills, reveal their strengths, learn to work in a team, overcome difficulties and help each other.

At the Art Residence teens have learned how to do:

• Flick Flack
• Forward flip
• New tricks with diabolo
• Front flip
• Oversplits
• To Juggle three balls 60 times (teens form 2d year)
• To juggle three balls 100 times (teens form 3d year)
• Three artists themselves came up with a juggling and drum act
• Two artists themselves came up with a diabolo number

New Performance

Teens from 3d year continue their preparation for the new circus performance that focus on the issues of the current school education systems, how they see themselves within this system, how it affects them and what they would like to change.

In order to prepare themselves for the performance teens not only work on improving their physical and circus skills nut also focus on better understanding of the topic. They watch relevant movies and have open discussions with their trainers and director of the performance.

The premier will take place on the 30^th April and next 4 months will be very intense and exciting at the same time!

Stories from inside Upsala-Circus

I would also like to share with you some stories of Egor and Andrei from our Inclusive Project

Egor joined Upsala-Circus in August (ASD group). He was very excited after his first circus training and it immediately became clear that he would remain with the group. During the Art Residence, the trainer offered Egor to try unicycle and ... he rode it on a first try! During his first months at the circus Egor not only found company, new friends and an accepting environment, but also mastered such a complex skill that some guys learn only on their second year. He believed in himself and opened a whole new world of possibilities. Egor felt the support from the adults and was ready to try the most beautiful crazy things!

Andrei joined the Upsala-Circus 3 years ago (group for the children with Down Syndrome). Andrei is a great juggler, that is why during the production of the performance “Rondo” the director and trainers focused on Andrei’s strengths and gave him the role that has a lot of juggling elemnts. Once I was a witness to a very amusing scene. During the rehearsal of the Rondo, Andrei was juggling while other members of the team were going through some stages of the performance. Nastya, the trainer of the Andrei’s group, has asked him several times to put aside juggling balls and join the rest of the team, but Andrei refused and kept on juggling, After a couple of minutes Nasty comes up, carefully picks up the balls and begins to lead Andrey onto the stage. But Andei stops, refuses to join the rehearsal, put his hands in his pockets…. takes out spare balls and starts to juggle!

I think that this short episodes and experience create the atmosphere that provides opportunities and possibilities for everyone to find their strength, to believe in themselves and to make circus!

Currently 74 children and teenagers train, rehearse and study at the Upsala-Circus!

During last 4 months they had 986 trainings and rehearsals

All our projects and program we implement with the support of our donors and partners. Thank you very much for staying with us!